Well, a first for me...

M

Mike B

Well-known member
I've probably made 200+ double flares, from brake lines, fuel lines, hydraulic's, etc...I know exactly why there is a small recess in a tubing cutter;)...for when we forget to put the fitting on!

Now as I said...this is a first for me...sure, I've goofed up, put one fitting on backwards...forgot to put a fitting on, put the fitting on below the bend...etc...all required cutting the tubing, and reflaring...we've all (if you do it yourself) been there.

But today I had a "first"...while making up brake lines for my pickup...I got the tube set into the fitting in the WC...bent it, formed it, etc...marked it for the correct cut...very nice "custom" fit...would have rivaled Henry's...

Took the line down...cut and reamed it, then proceeded to flare BOTH ends...with no fittings!

So, I'm 51...does it get worse later on? :)
 
Dang...figured you'd all tell me I'd get smarter and make less mistakes!

Hanging head in sorrow...and running off to bed....
 
I would like to say you will never make a mistake like that again but then that would be my 1st lie of the day.
Now insult to injury your replacement line will never fit the way the 1st one did, LOL LOL
 
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I've done most of what you've described, but not two ends w/out fittings! But now I probably couldn't even find my flaring tools! :)
 
Actually, the first flare wasn't a mistake. Common practice is to flare one end, drop on two fittings back to back, then flare the other end. Of course, this won't work if you bend the tube first.
 
ford38v8 said:
Of course, this won't work if you bend the tube first.
Click to expand...


What I do is..when making up lines, is screw the "nut" into the W/C, then proceed to bend things to fit..making sure I can easily slide th etubing in and out...just to make sure I have the bend off the WC correct, so once flared and ready to screw in, I don't have to fight it...

But...alas...with out the fitting on there..

Oh, and in response to the above...I did have to "stretch" the tubing a hair;)
 
Mike B said:
So, I'm 51...does it get worse later on? :)
Click to expand...

Most definitely! "Now where did I put that tubing cutter I was just holding." You are experiencing just the beginning. Perfectly normal for an old codger. Welcome to the club.
 
It's like the day when I made two new top shock brackets for my 33. Both left hand.

Mart.
 
My favorite saying is " there are only two types of people that don't make mistakes. Liars and people that don't do any thing ". That applies to younger people also.
 
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